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Liverpool escaped
against an Grazer AK to qualify for the Champions League, while Monaco,
Internazionale and Deportivo la Coruña were less troubled by their
opponents.
At Anfield Road, Liverpool conceded a goal from Tokic in the 55th minute
but Grazer AK were unable to score that second required goal to reach
extra time. The team of coach Rafael Benitez advances thanks to the 0-2
in Graz two weeks ago.
AS Monaco had little to worry about, at home against Nova Gorica from
Slovenia. After the 0-3 win in the first leg, the 2004 finalists were
practically certain of qualification, but that did not stop Chevanton to
score the opening goal of the return leg after 18 minutes. Bernardi
netted the second in the 32rd, and ten minutes later it was Fakiri to
score the third. Kallon in the 47th, Farnerud in the 67th and Adebayor
with a penalty in the 84th minute, set the score at 6-0. Suler of Nova
Gorica only played 32 minutes, before being sent off with a red card.
Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw away to Basel in the first leg, but
had a dream start in Italy as Adriano put the Nerazzurri in the lead in
the very first minute. Stankovic doubled that lead in the 13th minute
with the second goal. Sterjovski got one back, four minutes into the
second half, but another goal from Adriano in the 53rd minute and Alvaro
Recoba's goal seven minutes later secured qualification, beating Basel
4-1.
In Ireland, two weeks ago, Deportivo were unable to score against
Shelbourne, but made up for that in A Coruña. Victor scored both in the
57th and in the 63rd minute for a safe lead, and Walter Pandiani ended
speculations in the 87th minute, for 3-0. One minute later, frustration
got too much for Moore, who had to be expulsed.
RSC Anderlecht were too strong for Benfica in the return leg, after a
1-0 defeat in Portugal in the first game. Aruna scored in the 33rd and
59th minutes, and Jestrovic completed the task with his goal for 3-0 in
the 73rd.
The most dramatic clash was played by Maccabi Haifa and Rosenborg BK.
The Norwegians had won the first leg, 2-1, but despite losing a player
in the 25th minute - Ghrayib was shown a red card -, the Israelians took
a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Badir in the 31st minute and Bocolli in
the 37th. Maccabi thought to have reached the final whistle with that
score, until Brattbakk got one back for Rosenborg to lead his team into
extra time, in which Braaten and Berg scored for a final 2-3 victory.
The draw for the European tournaments will be held on Thursday. |
